Kristine Lilly and Tisha Venturini Hoch, both former stars of the USA women's soccer team and teammates of Hamm at North Carolina, also hosted the camp at Sansom Sports Complex.

Hamm said the most important thing she wanted to leave with campers, who spanned from age 6 to 17, is a sense of confidence.

"For us, mistakes are what life's about," Hamm said Saturday. "You've got to learn from them, put yourself out there, and know that to get better, you have to push yourself a little bit.

"We're not here to evaluate you or tell your coach how you did," Hamm continued. "We just want you to take risks, and grow and learn from it."

Hamm said the TeamFirst Academy idea originated in Knoxville, with then-UT soccer coach and former UNC player Angela Kelly.

"It's wonderful to be back," Hamm said. "It's a community that is very special to Ange and her family."

Hamm, Lilly and Hoch made several trips to Knoxville to support their former college teammate. Through Kelly, they met Pat Summitt.

"For me, just my time learning from her how she talked to her players, the intensity," Hamm said. "She wanted to bring out the best in her players both on and off the court. She taught us so much about valuing our time but really taking advantage of our opportunity and owning it.

"She was a pioneer for all of us," Hamm said. "She was unapologetic for who she was and how she went about her business. She was a fierce competitor."

Hamm also has become a fan of Lady Vols redshirt sophomore Katie Cousins, who helped instruct Saturday's camp. Hamm met the midfielder when she won Gatorade National Player of the Year in high school. She's watched some of Cousins' game on TV.

"It's someone [kids] can go to her games and watch her play," Hamm said of Cousins. "They have a great role model."

The camp runs through Sunday afternoon. It might not have been possible without Hamm's UT connection, and an influence by one of the best basketball coaches of all time.

"We miss her," Hamm said of Summitt. "But her legacy, you see in all her players and you see all across - not just women's basketball - but sports in general. And in how, not just how other people view us, but how we view ourselves and the opportunities we have."